About Staten Island

April marked yet another month for Staten Island real estate prices to hit record highs.

The average home sale price was up to $576,525. But prices are what we call a “trailing indicator”, meaning they reflect the market several months prior to the actual closing date, when the house was first put into acceptance. In this live video discussion, we look to other stats to dissect the market in its current state.

Even though the market still appears to hold the seller’s favor, with homes selling faster than they have in many months and fetching high prices, there were some strange findings. Inventory is now up to 1,630, with 669 new listings in April. This is considerably higher than the same time last year.

Staten Island was once a very different place than it is today. So many of the things we take for granted about our way of life were not always this way. In this live video segment, we tackle the Top Ten events that changed Staten Island forever.

Correspondent Hannah Jay and Broker/Co-Owner Anthony Licciardello run the gamut through more than three centuries taking us into the modern day. Who were the first European settlers on Staten Island? How much did Staten Island cost to purchase from the Lenape tribe? And, how did people get to the island before the first bridge was built in 1928? What was the main event that changed the infrastructure, demographics, and culture of Staten Island in such a short time?

It's story time! Our most recent Facebook live video goes into the Top 3 biggest real estate disasters witnessed by the company during the years we have been serving buyers and sellers. One of these deals went down in flames (literally)!

We also give some tips on how to avoid making the biggest mistakes we've witnessed over the years. In essence, selling a home is typically an emotional process for all those involved. Because so much emotion is invested- between packing up and settling elsewhere, leaving behind a place filled with so many memories, and perceiving a higher sense of value in your home than the market actually demands- these high stakes often lead to rash decisions. Understanding market fundamentals and looking at things with a

March has been a crazy month for weather! As we wait on the precipice of yet another snowstorm this evening, we reflect on the worst storms Staten Island has seen in a lifetime. Correspondent Hannah Jay interviews broker and co-owner Anthony Licciardello as they count down the 7 Most Severe Staten Island Storms.

Some of these storms are record holders; others can't be quantified in their toll on our lives. All have one thing in common- their destructive impact that lasted long past the storm itself.

Staten Islanders will find a few of these in our recent memory, while others provide a history lesson for younger residents. As each winter goes by, it makes for uncertain times during blizzard and Hurricane seasons. Many of you will remember the unease

February's home prices are still very close to record highs in Staten Island as developers and residents alike clamor for their own piece of the pie. The average home sale price last month was $558,102, down about 1% from the January's record high.

The US stock market had a rocky performance in the month of February. While some this shake-up caused some speculation that the fall would continue, the DOW has recovered for the most part. Looking at real estate statistics, which include the average days listed on the market of just 88, buyer confidence in Staten Island did not seem to be hurt at all.

Though the market still hangs in the seller's favor, a substantial listings increase since last year gives buyers more options. February saw 510 new homes

Over the years, a lot has changed in Staten Island. Many historical properties have fallen into disrepair, struggled to maintain landmark status, or been sold off to developers for their valuable land.

Perhaps the most high profile and most controversial of these over the past few years was Mount Manresa, the Catholic retreat and natural gem filled with some of the oldest trees in New York City. Environmentalists and Catholics alike rallied to save this property and have it landmarked by the City of New York LPC.

When the almighty dollar won out and the property was sold to The Savo Brothers, many in the community were angered to lose this natural beauty. Borough president James Oddo was so peeved that he took revenge and named the streets in the

Staten Island has around half a million residents. What is the island missing that would be a huge asset to those living here? Correspondent Hannah Jay and Co-Owner Anthony Licciardello discuss some ideas!

1. North Shore Railway, which once existed along the northern part of the island and could be revived from existing tracks. This would be a boon for North Shore commuters and for property values in the area.

2. Monorail to the city via Hylan Blvd that would sail above the Hudson River where the Staten Island Ferry and other boats travel. Alternatively, we could complete the ill-fated Brooklyn Subway Tunnel which began right before The Great Depression.
3. The Cheesecake Factory, a diverse and beloved restaurant across the…

What are Staten Island's best kept secrets? We're here to let you in on them! On Staten Island's North, Mid-Island, and South Shore sections, Anthony Licciardello and Hannah Jay identify some of the most beautiful yet mysterious locations in Staten Island.

These neighborhoods are home to luxury Staten Island homes and are each charming in their own unique way. Yet, since they lie off the beaten path, these streets offer luxury homes for a great value. This is an depth discussion about the history, home styles, transportation, unique views and amenities each of these neighborhoods has to offer.

PLUS- a discussion about property taxes that may just save you lots of money! There are lots of ways to reduce the property taxes you pay each year, whether

Our recently published article explored Mall 2.0 in America – or how malls can adapt by embracing change, not fearing it.

On the simplest level, malls will survive by focusing on alternatives to clothing stores that involve experience and entertainment, including stores for major purchases like furniture, and utilizing smart technology with integrated social media. Malls should also emphasize quality instead of expanding for the sake of it, and offer shoppers everyday staples like drug stores instead of just impulse items.

How can this be applied to the Staten Island retail sector? We have some ideas based on malls that are succeeding today.